ZANESVILLE -- Thinking about quitting smoking? Then go ahead -- kick the butt.

All across the country this Thursday the American Cancer Society is hoping that millions of smokers will do just that. The 27th annual Great American Smokeout will be recognized that day and an estimated 46 million Americans are being urged to stop smoking. According to the cancer society, approximately 169,400 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and an estimated 154,900 will die from the disease. "This is the one day of the year we ask all tobacco users to refrain from using cigarettes, cigars, chew, pipes or any other form of tobacco," Al Stabilito, communications and advocacy director for the cancer society said. "It is our hope that if a person can quit for one day they can, perhaps, quit forever with various forms of support and assistance," Stabilito said. "We want everyone to know the effects of smoking, whether you actually smoke or not," Stabilito said. Sitting behind someone smoking in a stadium for three hours is comparable to actually smoking. "Riding with someone with the windows up in a car for one hour, sitting behind someone smoking in a bar for two hours, sitting in the smoking section of a restaurant for two hours or working in a smoker-friendly office for eight hours are all comparable to actually smoking," Stabilito said. Adornetto's Pizzeria on Maple Avenue will be giving free salads on Thursday to anyone bringing in a full package of cigarettes. "We'll be giving garden salads to anyone who brings us a full package of cigarettes," Adrian Adornetto, manager and owner of the restaurant. "We're a non-smoking facility now." Toppings on the salads are extra. The Subway Sandwiches & Salads throughout the county are also participating in the smokeout. On Thursday, they will be giving a free six-inch turkey sandwich to anyone who brings in a full or partial pack of cigarettes, said Bonnie Burns, cancer control specialist with the cancer society. "And, for those who wish to quit, we have cession classes at Muskingum Health Department and Rambo Memorial Health Center," Burns said. "Anyone who wants to quit, we can help."

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